|
For more information about baptism contact Pastor Chris
It illustrates Christ´s burial and resurrection.
"Christ died for our sins... He was buried...
and He rose again."
--I Corinthians 15:3-4
"For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and
in baptism
you were also raised with Christ." --Colossians. 2:12
It illustrates my new life as a Christian.
"When someone becomes a Christian he becomes
a brand new person inside.
The old life has passed away and a new life has begun!" --2 Corinthians.
5:17
"By our baptism then, we were buried with Him
and shared His death, in
order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead... so also
we may live
a new life!" --Romans 6:4
Baptism doesn´t make you a believer - it shows
that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you, only your
faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it´s
the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith... it is the gift
of God - not by works, so that no one can boast." --Ephesians
2:8,9
Because Jesus was baptized that way.
"As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went
up out of the water."
--Matthew 3:16
Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion.
(Example) "...then both Philip and the man
went down into the water and
Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water..." --Acts
8:38-39
The word Baptize means "To dip under water".
The Greek work baptize means "to immerse or dip under water".
It best symbolized a burial and resurrection!
The founders of denominations agree:
Martin Luther... "I would have those who are to be baptized to be
entirely immersed, as the work imports and the mystery signifies."
John Calvin... "The word ´baptize´ signifies to immerse.
It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church."
John Wesley... "Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion
according to the custom of the first church."
Every person who has believed in Christ.
"Those who believe and accepted His message
were baptized..." --Acts 2:41
"Simon himself believed and was baptized..." --Acts 8:13
"But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News...
and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."
--Acts 8:12
At The Journey, we wait until our children
are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism
before we baptize them.
Some churches practice a "baptism of confirmation"
for children. This ceremony is intended to be a covenant between
the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise
to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough
to make his own personal confession of Christ. This custom began
about 300 years after the Bible was completed.
This is different from the baptism talked about in
the Bible which was only for those old enough to believe. The purpose
is to publicly confess your personal commitment to Christ.
As soon as you have believed.
"Those who believe...were baptized...that day!"
--Acts 2:41
"Then Philip began with the scripture and told
him the Good News about
Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water,
and the
man said, ´Look, here is water! Why shouldn´t I be
baptized right now?´
Philip said, ´If you believe with all your heart, you may.´
The man answered,
´I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.´ So
they went down into
the water and Philip baptized him." --Acts 8:35-38
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided
to receive Christ into your life, you can and should be baptized.
If you wait until you are "perfect", you´ll never feel "good
enough"!
***Contact Pastor Chris if you wish to be baptized or have any questions!***
|
